Commission NAGE EN EAU VIVE F.F.E.S.S.M.

Président Jean-Pierre VERGNON 48 hauts de Biguglia 2 20620 biguglia 04 95 31 51 12 Indiquez nous vos remarques... Donnez nous des informations ( rivière, portions, date d'observation, niveaux d'eau, dangers, etc...)

Rivers's navigability Gallery Régional commission (contacts) CORSE INF' EAUX VIVES CORSICA Water's level information . Welcome in the " Paradis de l'eau vive " ,(Wild water paradise ) title of Joseph Haas's book describing not less than 43 rivers in the island. . This web site has the ambition to helping you discovering this paradise of clear and transparent waters of Corsica. · You can go canoeing or swimming in Corsica from January to June and from september to december. · Even if the spring period, from March to May, seems to be the most suitable, you can imagine swimming down the rivers during almost all the year thanks to mediterranean type's rains . · Mainly ,we are going to inform you about water levels of five characteristic rivers : Tavignano (major river with natural flow). Golo (major river with artificial flow) . Vecchio (major torrent with natural flow ). Asco (torrent of the center with irregular flow). Fango (torrent of the ouest-side with irregular flow) The way Corsican rivers run down is really erratic. The snow thaws is rarely sufficient to give enough water. That is why rains are always needed to get some really interesting levels (especially for hydrospeed). But in Corsica rains are also erratic. It could be very shinny on the West Side, in Porto, while flooding are taking place on the East Side, e.g. in the Solenzara, a river that is usually considered as quiet. For the same reason, as strange as it can seems, a river like the Tavignano could be in a big flooding while the Vecchio, its tributary, hasn't got enough water to swim in. Moreover, a torrent such as the Asco or the Fango could empties as far as it fills up which means quickly. This reality has to be taken into account. This means that between the rains water levels could be very low. In such a case you should preferably choose: 1) River with controlled flow: Golo or Prunelli. 2) River with an sizeable average flow: Taravo, Tavignano, Liamone ? 3) River with an average flow quite sizeable in their steep-side: Vecchio, Golo (higher part), Fium Orbu, Travo, Rizzanese, Asco, Tartagine, Fango, Abbatesco (higher part), Gravona gorges. To swim in the following rivers you need recent strong rains: 4) Gravona, Restonica, Abbatesco (lowest part), Solenzara, Cruzzini, Cavu, Porto, Bravona, Tagnone and similar. Mainly, we are going inform you about water levels of five characteristic rivers representative of the different kind of river listed above (of course, any help is welcome!). A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE DIREN WHICH ALLOWED US TO USE ITS LEVEL SCALE'S PHONELINE DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERISTIC RIVERS TAVIGNANO: North Corsica - East center - Important natural average Reference part : middle part , gorges , class IV GOLO: North Corsica - Artificial flow for the inferior part - sizeable average flow Reference part : from Francardo to San Lorenzo bridge. VECCHIO : North Corsica - major torrent - average flow quite sizeable Reference part : after the gorges , from Noceta bridge to Tavignano river . Class III -Average level in this part means a good level in gorges. ASCO : North Corsica -Levels changing quickly Reference part : gorges up and down Asco village - class IV- to IV+ -possible to swim from 1.30 m (DIREN scale) FANGO : North Corsica - West-side - Torrent in small gorges - levels changing quickly Reference part : gorges - class III+,IV- - Possible swim from 0.80 m. Rivers's navigability Gallery Régional commission (contacts)